Experience Simulation

The MTM EXperience

The MTM EXperience “Walk A Month” is a facilitated, participation-based workshop for “outmates” — employers, landlords, educators, healthcare experts, human-services workers, ministers, neighbors and all community members — that simulates the challenges returning citizens face upon release. The objective is to inform and challenge participants’ perception and behavior as it relates to the realities of a returning citizen and what they encounter once they have served their time.

In this two-and-a-half-hour workshop, up to 65 participants role-play one of up to 18 different individuals dealing with the personal and social impact of what we call Post-release Syndrome, or PRS. In the course of the workshop, participants encounter or witness the effects of circumstances like educational challenges, unstable housing, scarce resources, hostile families and vigilant neighbors. The task of one participant, the returning citizen, is to “stay out of jail” during each of four 15-minute “weeks.”

The MTM EXperience includes an introduction, the participatory workshop and a debriefing, allowing participant to capture and discuss what they have learned.

This service empowers participants to alter community perceptions attributed to Post-release Syndrome and encourage them to: